Axt was previously a teacher at the Xavier University of Louisiana, and had clinical experience at the University of California Medical Center, though his experience was limited to 14 months and was not enough to qualify for American Board of Radiology certification.
After Axt's arrival, he had to "reconstruct Riverside’s radiation physics program almost from scratch," as the previous contracted physicist had removed all his equipment.
In March, the hospital asked an external team from the MD Anderson Cancer Center to review the accident.
After the accident was leaked to the public in April, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission began its own investigation.
Of the 183 patients who survived the first year,[4] 88 showed "immediate severe complications related to the irradiated sites.